Catering, Jazz Lounge, Day Care, Dollar Tree

                       By Carol Arnett

The Florissant City Council had four public hearings on the agenda at Monday night’s meeting. The first hearing, set to discuss a special use permit for Taste Buds Catering to allow for the operation of a catering and diner for property at 1A Mullanphy Gardens Shopping Center, was postponed because the petitioner was not present.

The second public hearing regarded a request for a special use permit to J&J Green Enterprises doing business as Jay’s to allow for the operation of a restaurant/lounge at 12667 New Halls Ferry Road.

Felicia Cook spoke for the business. “It will be a lounge with a laid back atmosphere. Customers can relax and listen to jazz,” she said.

Councilman Mark Schmidt said he had concerns about the hours of operation and asked what they were. Cook responded that they were 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. every day.

“That’s where I have the problem,” Schmidt said. “The ordinance has it as 1 a.m., I believe.”

City Attorney said that the ordinance has the closing time designated as 2 a.m. so the owners can stay and clean up. The business must close at 1 a.m., Hessel said. “They cannot stay open and serve alcohol.”

“The business does back up to a residential area on one side,” Schmidt said. ”When people leave the building, opening and closing car doors and talking on the way out, it’s a concern for residents.”

Schmidt said he would like to see the hours of operation until midnight Sunday through Thursday.

Cook said that she had discussed the issue with the property owners and they were putting in a fence.

“Back yards back right up to where that fence is,” Schmidt said. “You can’t negate the sound of a car door.”

“In the past, that site was a bar and lounge and the source of a lot of angst,” Eagan said. “Can you talk about the plan to keep the peace and security of the neighborhood there?”

“We’re targeting the over-30 crowd,” Cook said. The business will have table seating and security. There will also have a full-time maintenance person responsible for cleaning the grounds.

“So you’re basically a restaurant where you can purchase alcohol and listen to jazz,” Eagan said. The kitchens will close at 11.

Councilman Keith Schildroth asked if they will always have live music, not a DJ. Cook replied that they will have live music.

“Will you have security inside and outside?” asked Councilman Tim Lee. “You’ll have two security guards whenever the club is open?” Cook replied yes.

No one spoke in opposition and the council held a first reading on the bill allowing the business.

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New Rising Star Daycare Center

The third public hearing concerned a request for a special use permit to New Rising Star Daycare for a day care center at 3645 Marietta. Jackie Smith spoke for the daycare.

“We have two centers open, and we’re looking to expand,” Smith said. “We’re looking to have 110 kids, not all at the same times,” she added. The center will be a 24 hour center, she said, with children from infants to 13 years old.

“It’s in pretty rough shape. Can you discuss some of the improvements you’re planning?’ Eagan asked.

Smith said she is adding a wall to divide the school kids from the three and four year olds. “We’re trying to make the infant area a lot bigger, close it off a little more. We’ll add fresh paints, and check plumbing and electric. We’ve had someone in to look at it. It’s not that bad, but needs sprucing up,” she said.

Smith owns two other daycares in Moline Acres and St. Louis County near Castle Point. The other two properties are also 24 hours. “Capacity is not as big at nights and on the weekends, but some parents have to work weekends and nights,” she said.

The council held a first reading on the bill allowing the business.

Dollar Store Planned at Lowe’s Site

The fourth public hearing concerned a request for a subdivision of Lowe’s property at 14070 New Halls Ferry Rd to divide one lot into two lots.

The developer for the property spoke to the council. “This is the final piece of the puzzle. We are subdividing a portion, approximate 1 acre, to construct a 10.000 square foot retail store.” The store will be a Dollar Tree, he said.

Schmidt said that the council had already seen and approved plans for the new building. The council approved the bill allowing the subdivision.

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